With the Premier League well underway, we’ve already seen how different teams set up in various styles. Here, we look at three of the most attacking teams in the league, and what their setup allows them to do
3. Manchester United
It’s always been ingrained into the history of Manchester United to play fast, vibrant, attacking football.
However, with the arrival of Jose Mourinho this Summer, many expected them to play a slightly more cautious style as the Portuguese had his Chelsea side doing.
The reality couldn’t be more different.
United have preferred to set up in an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. However, instead of playing two defensive midfielders as the set up would make you believe on paper, the likes of Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini have so far been bombing forward and joining the attacks.
The three in-behind Ibrahimovic are all creative masters, with Mourinho able to call on the likes of Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in those positions.
United hold such a high line, as they can rely on the pace of Eric Bailly to sprint back at swashbuckling pace if necessary.
This high line forces inferior sides to sit deep, naturally giving United the lions’ share of possession and allowing them to dictate football games.
However, it’s their directness which has surprised most this season, a real contrast from Louis Van Gaal’s style last season.
United often passed the ball with no real zip to it the last term, but this season it feels like every move is leading up to something, as whenever their attackers get on the ball, they just go direct.
It’s a fantastic way to play if you have the players for it, and United most certainly do They almost effectively play a 4-5-1 with five attacking midfielders due to their intensity, and so far this season, United’s philosophy has been attack, attack, attack.
